Health Watch

Sunday

The city of Stow, in conjunction with Akron General Health and Wellness Center North, has initiated "Catch the Healthy Bug," an exercise program for residents.

Stow residents who wish to participate must commit to consistent exercise by walking, swimming or doing another activity, such as strength training or cycling. Each activity has a point value.

Adults who accumulate 125 points per month and children ages 6 to 13 who accumulate 75 points per month will be considered consistent exercisers.

Points are accumulated by performing the following exercises: 15 minutes of cardiovascular exercise (walking, cycling, jogging and swimming) is equal to three points. One set of a muscular strength exercise (weight training, push-ups and sit-ups) is equal to one half point per set.

By turning in a completed form at the end of each month at Stow City Hall with a tally of points earned, each participant who has earned the appropriate amount of points will have their name displayed on the Healthy Stow Wall of Fame and they will receive monthly and annual recognition awards.

Forms are available at City Hall, located at 3760 Darrow Road in Stow.

The "Catch the Healthy Bug" program is free to join.

For more information, call 330-689-2700 or visit the Web site at www.stow.oh.us.

Headache treatment available for teens

Group treatment sessions for teenagers dealing with recurrent headaches are being offered by the NeuroDevelopmental Center at Akron Children's Hospital. Treatment includes five, 90-minute sessions focusing on the cognitive and behavioral strategies teens need to cope with how to prevent headaches. Pediatric psychologist Ethan Benore will facilitate the group. Sessions will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. June 4, 11 and 18 at the NeuroDevelopmental Center at the Considine Professional Building, Suite 4400. Follow-up sessions also will be available.

The cost is $60 per session. A referral from the child's doctor is requested. For more information or to register, call 330-543-8050 or 1-800-263-0333 ext. 38050.

Cancer program

to be offered

An American Cancer Society volunteer and colon cancer survivor will facilitate a colorectal cancer support group June 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Stewart's Caring Place, 2955 W. Market St. in Fairlawn.

The program is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.cancer.org or call Stewart's Caring Place at 330-836-1772.

Cancer society plans

for inaugural event

The American Cancer Society recently announced its plans for an inaugural event called Pan Ohio Hope Ride, a Cleveland to Cincinnati bicycle tour that will raise awareness and funds for its Hope Lodges in the two cities.

The four-day, noncompetitive, multistage tour will start at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Aug. 9 and finish at Yeatman's Cove on the Cincinnati riverfront Aug. 12.

"Our Hope Lodges have helped cancer patients from neighboring states and almost every county in Ohio by providing warm, caring, no-cost places to stay near leading cancer-fighting medical centers," said Don McClure, CEO of the American Cancer Society's Ohio Division. "It will be fitting for this tour to reach so many of those counties by following the Ohio to Erie Trail through some of the most beautiful stretches of the state."

Participating cyclists will travel 300 miles between the two cities with overnight stops at the College of Wooster, Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware and Antioch College in Yellow Springs.

Each cyclist pledges to raise $2,650 to participate in the full Cleveland to Cincinnati route.

In addition, riders also can participate in the one-day Finale Ride with a fundraising pledge of $650. The Finale Ride on Aug. 12 will travel from Yellow Springs to Cincinnati.

Participants can sign up or learn more by visiting cancer.org/hoperide.

The ride is capped at 600 participants.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives from cancer and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.

For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Cancer support groups scheduled to meet

The American Cancer Society has a number of free support groups for cancer patients, families and friends.

These groups meet in various locations in the region on a regular basis and each is led by a cancer survivor who knows firsthand how it feels to deal with cancer.

Officials say talking to someone who has been in a similar situation provides emotional support.

These groups give each person the chance to discuss their cancer openly and learn how others dealt with their cancer.

The American Cancer Society has support groups for people with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer. Many of those who attend have survived cancer for five years, 10 years or longer.

Most support groups meet in every county in Ohio on a monthly basis.

To find out about the types of groups and when they meet, call the American Cancer Society toll free anytime day or night at 1-800-ACS-2345.

Panic and anxiety program offered

A program geared to help anyone who suffers from panic, anxiety and agoraphobia is being offered in Stow. Officials say they will teach people how to control panic attacks and anticipatory anxiety and learn how attitudes and current thoughts affect panic and anxiety.

Programs take place Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. and Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m.

For more information, call 732-940-9658.

Ride for Lupus

set for June 16

Ride for Lupus, sponsored by the Urban Knights Motor Cycle Club and Rick Roush Motor Sports, will start at noon June 16 at Luke Easter Park in Cleveland. It will end at Rick Roush Motor Sports in Medina.

At the end of the ride there will be food for all riders and anyone who donates. In addition, there will be a bike show, giveaways, 50/50 raffle, music and merchandise for sale.

Sponsors are still needed. To register or for more information, call Shawn Smith at 216-990-6910, Marvin Tanks at 216-408-0426 or Stafford Shenett at 216-256-3182.